You're not worth my shoe, angry CHP MP yells at testosterone-laden AKP

ANKARA

CHP MP Aylin Nazlıaka considers the pros and cons of hurling her footwear at the AKP.

Turkey's male-dominated Parliament witnessed a rare moment of protest staged by a female opposition deputy on Aug. 12 after verbal attacks from the ranks of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) infuriated her to the point of threatening to throw her shoe.

During a General Assembly session that extended into the evening hours, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Aylin Nazlıaka, known for her women's rights activism, took the rostrum after introducing a bill to the General Assembly agenda that would grant thousands of victims of domestic violence residing in women's shelters the ability to vote.

"Due to the policies that you impose on the female body, and even on what women wear, what women eat, what color of lipstick they use, whether pregnant women can walk on the streets or not, whether the laughter of women stains chastity and whether women and men should dance the horon [a traditional Black Sea folk dance] together or not, these have all become matters of discussion at this point. Even getting mixed-sex education has become a matter of debate. And you are responsible," said an overtly frustrated Nazlıaka.

"You know how three of our women are killed each day and you know there is a 40 percent increase in violence against women. Those who dictate to women how to act are the ones who encourage those murderers," Nazlıaka said. 



"Do not look far away, I am talking about you. You are the ones who encourage those murderers," she added, looking in the direction where AKP deputies were seated. Upon verbal attacks, Nazlıaka continued:

"I swear to God, the devil in me tells me to take off my shoe and hurl it at you. But I take a look at my shoe and then I take a look at you; and frankly, I say, 'It's not worth it.' Yes, it isn't worth it."

Nazlıaka's words triggered an even harsher response from the ruling party deputies. Eventually, her proposal was rejected by the Parliament where the AKP holds the majority.